Program Manager

The House of Mercy and Grace Organization is seeking a dedicated, community-minded Program Manager Volunteer to join our mission of service in Chicago, IL. This vital leadership role oversees and enhances our food distribution, clothing closet, and toiletries programs. The ideal candidate is passionate about making a tangible difference in the lives of our city’s most vulnerable populations by cultivating a welcoming environment of dignity, respect, and hope.

As Program Manager Volunteer, you will coordinate and manage weekly operations, lead a dynamic team of volunteers, and scout new locations throughout Chicago to reach those in need. Your commitment, organizational skills, and compassion will be essential to ensuring that our programs run smoothly and expand their reach across the city.

Key Responsibilities

• Program Oversight: Lead, plan, and coordinate the day-to-day operations of food distribution, clothing closet, and toiletries programs.
• Volunteer Recruitment and Management: Attract, recruit, train, and supervise a team of volunteers, fostering a culture of collaboration, dignity, and service.
• Outreach and Location Scouting: Develop strategies to identify and regularly scout locations throughout Chicago where homeless individuals congregate, ensuring outreach efforts are effective, timely, and compassionate.
• Service Delivery: Oversee food distribution and hygiene package delivery to homeless populations, ensuring respectful and impactful interactions.
• Inventory Management: Create and maintain spreadsheets to track inventory levels for food, clothing, and hygiene supplies, ensuring resources are well-stocked and distributed equitably.
• Progress Tracking: Develop and maintain progress tracking systems, reporting regularly on program milestones, outcomes, and community impact.
• Event Participation: Actively participate in organization-hosted events, representing the House of Mercy and Grace Organization with professionalism and enthusiasm.
• Meetings and Communication: Attend and contribute to monthly board meetings and other impromptu meetings as required, providing updates and insights on program activities and needs.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Build and sustain positive relationships with volunteers, community partners, and those we serve, ensuring open lines of communication and ongoing feedback.
• Hybrid Work Commitment: Commit to a flexible, hybrid schedule of 15 hours per week, balancing in-person and remote responsibilities as needed to meet program goals.
• Duration: Commit to a minimum of 12 months in the role, providing consistency and leadership to our volunteer team and the communities we serve.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years’ experience running service-based programs, ideally in a nonprofit or community outreach setting.
• Demonstrated experience in volunteer recruitment, team leadership, and direct supervision.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines simultaneously.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities, with a talent for motivating and uniting diverse teams.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and the ability to create and maintain spreadsheets for tracking inventory and progress.
• Comfort with hybrid work environments, balancing remote coordination with in-person outreach and service delivery as required.
• Knowledge of the social service landscape in Chicago or willingness to learn quickly.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team.
• Demonstrated commitment to serving marginalized populations with empathy, respect, and cultural sensitivity.
• Flexible schedule to attend monthly board meetings, organization events, and impromptu meetings as necessary.
• Minimum 12-month commitment to the role and ability to dedicate approximately 15 hours per week.

Preferred Attributes

• Prior experience in homeless outreach, food distribution, or similar programs.
• Familiarity with Chicago neighborhoods and community resources.
• Bilingual abilities are an asset, though not required.
• Creative problem-solving skills and adaptability in fast-paced or changing environments.
• Enthusiasm for developing and improving processes and program delivery.

Core Competencies

• Leadership: Ability to inspire, direct, and empower volunteers to fulfill the organization’s mission.
• Communication: Exceptional interpersonal and writing skills for effective outreach, reporting, and engagement.
• Organization: Keen attention to detail in managing schedules, inventory, and data.
• Empathy: Deep compassion for the homeless community, ensuring all interactions uphold dignity and kindness.
• Adaptability: Willingness to adjust to the evolving needs of the program and the individuals we serve.
• Initiative: Proactive in identifying opportunities for program growth, volunteer development, and service improvement.